Gallagher explains Irelands woes in A1GP Team boss reacts to poor results and personnel changes Dublin, Ireland, 7 February 2007; A1 Team Ireland's Team Principal Mark Gallagher has outlined the reasons behind Ireland's run of poor performances in ...

Dublin, Ireland, 7 February 2007; A1 Team Ireland's Team Principal Mark Gallagher has outlined the reasons behind Ireland's run of poor performances in the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport and the recent changes in team structure that have seen former Jordan Grand Prix Technical Director Gary Anderson take over as engineering boss and Hillsborough's Richard Lyons drafted in as lead driver.

In an exclusive interview on www.a1gp.com and the team's fan site, www.a1teamireland.ie the 44 year old Belfast-born team boss explains the reasons behind the team's performances which have netted a single championship point this season, and his views on the challenges facing A1 Team Ireland as it develops a platform for the best of Irish motor racing talent.

Gallagher has used the interview to tackle some of the more difficult questions posed in recent months, including the lack of performance, the decision to replace Michael Devaney as lead driver mid-season and even the allegation made by one Irish sports journalist that the team lacks a true Irish identity.

He has also highlighted the challenge of raising sponsorship for a high-tech world-wide series from a corporate Ireland obsessed with traditional, domestic sport, and explains why in his opinion so few Irish drivers have the ability to compete against top level opposition in the highly professional, white-hot competition of international single seater motor racing.

"Not surprisingly we have been receiving criticism for Ireland's poor results in A1GP so it was time I responded to the kinds of questions we hear about second hand but are seldom put to us directly," said Gallagher. "It's my responsibility to face up to our situation and explain why we are in the position we are, and what we are doing to rectify it. It's better to face up to our critics just in case anyone thinks we are cruising along hoping for a change of luck. It's got nothing to do with luck, everything to do with us working hard and trying to achieve something for Irish motor racing."